Transmeta’s family of Crusoe processors has been certified for compatibility with Windows CE .NET.

Crusoe processors are designed specifically for mobile applications, using proprietary technology to combine high performance with low power requirements whilst maintaining x86 compatibility. The vast majority of Pocket PC manufacturers have chosen Intel’s StrongARM and XScale processors for their handheld computers, while smartphone manufacturers are expected to use OMAP processors from Texas Instruments. Transmeta will target Tablet PC vendors, building on its existing success in the notebook computing market.

“The simultaneous low power and high performance of Transmeta’s Crusoe processor coupled with Windows CE .NET enable developers to create powerful, full-featured mobile devices and bring them to market quickly,” said Keith White, senior director for the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft. Dr. Matthew R. Perry, president and CEO, Transmeta Corporation, added: “We expect Crusoe’s certification by Microsoft for the Windows CE .NET operating system will start a wave of new designs using Crusoe in embedded devices. Transmeta is committed to seeking out new markets where its Crusoe processor’s unique combination of power-efficiency and performance can improve the end user computing experience.”

Insight

This is not so much a new opportunity for Transmeta as a chance to evolve its existing notebook PC business by providing its low power chips for the forthcoming Tablet PC devices. The question mark hangs over the viability of Tablet PC itself. How many people actually want a device with a form factor between that of a notebook and a PDA? Vadem attempted to break into this market with its innovative Clio and Fujitsu has been selling pen-driven notebooks for some time. Manufacture of the Clio was stopped after about 18 months and the Fujitsu business remains small. Obviously there is value in a concerted Microsoft marketing effort to push the form factor, but that will do little to address the fundamental issue of lack of demand.